Defamation case filed against Kushtia Jamaat candidate Amir Hamza

A defamation case has been filed against Amir Hamza, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for the Kushtia-3 constituency.

Mehdi Hasan Jillu, a member of the convening committee of Jashore District Krishak Dal and a resident of Kharki, filed the case with the court of Jashore's Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Asadul Islam yesterday.

Taking cognisance of the complaint, Magistrate Asadul Islam directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Jashore, to investigate the matter and submit a report.

Confirming the case, Superintendent of Jashore district PBI, Kamruzzaman, told The Daily Star, “We will investigate the matter. After investigation, we will soon submit the exact information to the court.”

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate MA Gafur, also confirmed the development.

According to the case statement, Hamza allegedly made defamatory remarks about Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of late former prime minister Khaleda Zia and brother of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, while speaking at a religious gathering in Chattogram in 2023.

The plaintiff stated that such remarks about a deceased person not only tarnished Koko’s personal dignity but also harmed the honour of the Zia family.

Claiming that the derogatory comments hurt the sentiments and dignity of people who believe in nationalist ideals, the plaintiff also alleged that the remarks caused defamation amounting to Tk 5 billion.